Guest feedback is paramount to not only providing a great guest experience, but also to keep your property running smoothly as a rental. If a guest experiences a lightbulb burnt out, batteries that need to be replaced in TV remotes, or an extension on a hairdryer missing, they may not let you know about it.
To consistently earn five-star reviews we have to pay attention to the details. Details make all the difference between a five-star host and a host that time and time again receives mediocre reviews. The more five-star reviews your property receives, the higher up the booking algorithms will go, and the more revenue you can potentially capture.
In addition to generating more income as a result of well kept property, it can also help reduce costly expenses. A faulty appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine may be able to be fixed before it’s too late and the entire unit needs to be replaced. This is one of the benefits of a short term vs. a long term rental. When your guests checks out, typically every few days or so, this gives you an opportunity to address tiny problems before they become big problems.
How Do You Get Started? Perform A Property Inspection
If you are skilled in home maintenance this is something you can do yourself. If not, there are many home inspection professionals who can assist you. Test all faucets and inspect plumbing underneath sinks. Test all light switches and outlets. Often in bigger houses we like to label light switches to help the guests navigate through the house. Inspect walls, ceilings, and on property exteriors pay attention to the landscaping. Overgrown trees can potentially damage your roof and large tree root systems can sometimes lift concrete and pavers.
Safety First
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can save your guests lives in the event of a fire, or a carbon monoxide leak. It’s important to run tests on the detectors often. Older models typically are powered by a 9V battery, or AA batteries if they are not hard wired into the home’s electrical system. Newer models have lithium batteries that can last up to 10 years. Make sure all of the detectors are operational.
It is also a good practice and required by many municipal codes to have a fire extinguisher in the home. At minimum there should be a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Depending on your city’s code you may be required to install additional fire extinguishers in other areas throughout the dwelling. For example near a fireplace is another common area to place a fire extinguisher.
Invest In Smart Home Gadgets
While exterior cameras can keep an eye on your home and smart locks can give you the ability to lock doors from afar, what about your other home systems? At Haustay we have a thermostat that we can remotely control over a cellular signal. So even if your WiFi goes down we can automatically and remotely turn off the furnace or AC. A popular WiFi router such as Orbi will allow you to remotely check how many devices are on your wifi network and to see if the network is online.
Test Your Tech
Make sure all remotes are paired up with the correct TVs. All TV remotes should have batteries and should be operational. Replacement remotes can be found cheaply on Amazon. If required purchase a replacement remote, your future guests will thank you. Test your internet connection speed to see if it needs to be reset, or if you need to explore upgrading your speed.
The Best Solution: Trust A Reliable Local Property Manager
Haustay Vacation Rentals located in Carlsbad, CA, has the experience and the expertise to maintain your vacation rental property and to keep it in tip-top shape. We have trusted electricians, plumbers, handymen, painters – you name it. Our success depends on our performance in maintaining your property.
FAQ Regarding Vacation Rental Maintenance
Do property management companies pay for repairs for the property?
Haustay Vacation Rentals, like most property managers, requires that the homeowners pay for maintenance repairs for their property. We can schedule the repair vendors and either we can pay the vendor (for which the homeowner will reimburse us) or the homeowner can pay the vendor directly.
Who pays for repairs to the property due to damage caused by a guest?
Depending on the booking channel, we will deduct damage costs from the guests security deposit and/or file a claim directly with the booking channel. Airbnb has a program called Airbnb Cover where if their guest causes damage we can send in photos of the damage and request reimbursement. The program does not work 100% of the time which is why we require a security deposit as extra protection for the property.
Can I write off repairs for property damages as a tax deduction?
Possibly. Typically any repairs you make to a property are an expense line item when you are calculating your year end income. Please note, Haustay, Inc. (DBA Haustay Vacation Rentals) is not a tax advisor and is not qualified to provide tax advice. Please consult with your qualified tax advisor to make the best decision regarding the reporting of taxes for your vacation rental.
